Machine for filling a plurality of containers, system including such a machine, and related manufacture method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a machine ( 1 ) for filling a plurality of containers ( 2 ) that are arranged in a display ( 3 ), said machine ( 1 ) including a rotatable dispensing member ( 4 ) that is designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers ( 2 ). Said machine is also characterized in that it includes a means ( 10 ) for rotating a display ( 3 ) so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing member ( 4 ) and the display ( 3 ) makes it possible to correlate the dispensing member ( 4 ) with each container ( 2 ), with a view to filling the latter. The invention also relates to filling machines.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the general technical field of automatic filling of small size containers, such as syringes, in order to obtain batches of pre-filled containers, as for example pre-filled syringes, ready for injection.

The present invention more particularly relates to a machine for filling a plurality of racked containers arranged in a rack, said machine comprising a rotatable dispensing unit designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising:

a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, said machine comprising a rotatable dispensing unit designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers,

a rack of the “nest” type, and

a plurality of containers, such as syringes, arranged into rows in the rack.

The present invention finally relates to a method of manufacturing a first container containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container, which belongs to a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container by means of a dispensing unit.

PRIOR ART

It is well known to pack syringes, intended to later be filled with a pharmaceutical product, in racks for accommodating a plurality of syringes distributed into a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement.

Such racks are generally in the form of a tray, commonly called a “nest”, provided on the surface thereof with tubes arranged into a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement. A syringe is intended to be threaded into each tube. The syringes thus threaded into the tubes of the tray are held in predetermined positions, parallel to each other. The rack further comprises a container, commonly called a “tub”, provided toward the free upper edge thereof with an internal rib on which the nest is intended to rest. The racked syringes are thus arranged into parallel rows forming a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement, with their filling orifice (opposite to the injection orifice) turned upward.

The new and empty syringes, in particular when they are made of glass, are usually shipped pre-packed in a nest/tub unit so as to be later filled with a pharmaceutical product and plugged.

The filling of the syringes contained in a nest can be performed manually, by means of more or less sophisticated pipettes that are handled directly by an operator. Such a manual filling is however reserved for very occasional filling operations and is not at all suited for great quantities of syringe to be filled. Furthermore, such a manual filling entails a human presence near and above the syringes to be filled, which introduce an additional risk of contamination, except taking heavy and complex preventive measures. Finally, the filling orifice of the syringes may, in some cases, have an extremely reduced cross-section. It may thus be difficult, for the operator, to introduce rapidly and accurately the stylet of the pipette into the filling orifice of the syringe so as to fill the latter. Therefore, a risk exists to see the user missing the orifice of the syringe and/or transferring a part of the content of the filling pipette outside the syringe to be filled, with all the drawbacks that could result therefrom.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, it is known to use a semi-automatic filling, carried out by means of a robot.

For example, it is known to use a general-purpose six-axis robot that carries a filling stylet connected to a tank containing the medicinal substance to be transferred into the syringes. Said six-axis robot is installed near a receiving area adapted to accommodate a nest with syringes therein. The robot then positions successively the filling stylet in correspondence with the filling orifice of each syringe and releases a predetermined dose of a medicinal substance that is transferred into the corresponding syringe. Such a general-purpose robot is however expensive, which limits the use thereof to significant productions that allows the investment to be recouped. Such a robot is moreover an equipment that is heavy, bulky and that cannot be moved, due to its weight. Such a robot is also difficult to integrate into a contamination prevention device such as an isolator or a RABS (acronym for “Restricted Access Barrier System”). In particular, the size of such a six-axis robot is liable to interfere with the nest removing and replacing operations. Moreover, the implementation of such a six-axis robot to fill nested syringes generates the presence of mobile parts (belonging to the robot) above the syringes, which increases the risk of contamination.

Three or four-axis robots, of the SCARA (acronym for “Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm”) type, are also known. Such robots are used in applications (semi-conductor industry) that have nothing to do with the medico-pharmaceutical sector. Therefore, no offer exists for SCARA-type robots specifically dedicated to the medico-pharmaceutical sector and taking into account the particular requirements of this field. This notably implies that no offer exists for SCARA-type robot with satisfying economic conditions, in particular for small productions adapted to expensive and/or toxic products requiring the confinement within an isolator or RABS (clinical batches). Furthermore, SCARA-type robots are generally rather complicated to clean, which is a significant drawback within the framework of a pharmaceutical application. The weight of such a robot remains also relatively high.

Finally, three-axis Cartesian robots are also know, which are far more cost economic than the six-axis and SCARA robots.

Such Cartesian robots are however badly suited to the pharmaceutical conditions, insofar as they implement mobile parts near and above the syringes to be filled, i.e. in a highly sensible area that must fulfill draconian cleanliness requirements. Furthermore, the three-axis Cartesian robots have a significant bulkiness, in particular when they are in their configuration for the nest removing/replacing.

Accordingly, no fully satisfying technical solution exists today for handling in particular the small productions suited to expensive and/or toxic products requiring the confinement within an isolator or RABS, such as the clinical batches.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object assigned to the invention is consequently to remedy the various drawbacks specified above and to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a Cartesian-arrangement rack, of the nest type, which are cost effective, reliable, easily integrable into an isolator or a RABS, light weight, removable, satisfying high regulation levels regarding the cleanliness and making it possible to easily remove/replace the racks.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which allow an extremely accurate and reliable filling.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which are of particularly simple and non-bulky design.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which, while being of extremely simple design, limit very significantly the risks of contamination or pollution of the containers.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which lie on an extremely simple, compact and robust design.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which implement a minimum of mobile parts and types of different movements.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which allow a particularly simple, efficient and clean automatic plugging of the containers.

Another object of the invention is to propose novel machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, which are particularly adapted to cooperate with racks of the conventional type.

A complementary object of the invention is to propose a novel method for manufacturing a container containing a filling substance, which are cost effective, accurate, reliable and particularly secure.

The objects given to the invention are achieved by means of a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, said machine comprising a dispensing unit rotatable about a first axis of rotation, designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers, said dispensing unit comprising a filling stylet, said machine comprising a means for driving the rack in rotation about a second axis of rotation so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit and the rack makes possible the placement of the dispensing unit in correspondence with each of the containers in order to fill these latter, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit substantially crosses said second axis of rotation.

The objects given to the invention are also achieved by means of a system comprising:

a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, said machine comprising a dispensing unit rotatable around a first axis of rotation, designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers, said dispensing unit comprising a filling stylet, said machine comprising a means for driving the rack in rotation about a second axis of rotation so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit and the rack makes possible the placement of the dispensing unit in correspondence with each of the containers in order to fill these latter, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit substantially crosses said second axis of rotation,

a rack of the nest type,

a plurality of containers, such as syringes, arranged into rows in said rack.

The objects given to the invention are also achieved by means of a method for manufacturing a first container containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container, which belongs to a plurality of containers arranged in a rack, said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container by means of a dispensing unit comprising a filling stylet, the filling step including, before said transfer of the filling substance into the first container, a placement of the dispensing unit and the first container in correspondence with each other by rotating the dispensing unit and the rack about a first and a second axis of rotation, respectively, said method being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit substantially crosses said second axis of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, with reference to the appended drawings, given only by way of illustrative and non-limitative examples, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective overall view of a first embodiment of a machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates, in a schematic top view, the kinematic principle on which the invention lies;

FIG. 3 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a second embodiment of a machine according to the invention.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a machine 1 for filling a plurality of containers 2 arranged in a rack 3. In other words, the machine 1 is a machine for filling containers 2 packed by groups in a rack 3. Preferably, the machine 1 according to the invention is designed for filling a plurality of containers 2 arranged into rows in a rack 3 of the nest type, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The nest-type racks are well known as such in the medico-pharmaceutical sector.

The rack 3 thus advantageously comprises a substantially rectangular or square tray, through which are formed perforations regularly distributed over substantially all the surface of the tray. Each perforation is extended by a holding tube intended to accommodate a container, preferably tubular. Thus, the machine 1 is specifically for the filling of tubular containers 2, preferably formed by syringe bodies. A syringe body is conventionally in the form of a tube provided, at one end, with an injection orifice, of reduced cross-section, to which a needle is intended to be connected, and at the opposite end, with a filling orifice into which the syringe piston is intended to be threaded. The syringe body is further provided with a flange located at the filling orifice. The nest-type racks, such as the rack 3 illustrated in the figures, thus make it possible to accommodate a plurality of syringe bodies arranged vertically, parallel to each other, in such a manner that their filling orifices are turned upward. The flange with which each syringe body is provided is intended to come into abutment against the corresponding holding tube of the nest, which makes it possible to position all the filling orifices of the nested syringe bodies at a single and same altitude. The syringe bodies are then advantageously arranged in the rack 3 into rows, preferably parallel to each other, so that the filling orifices thereof are substantially all inscribed in a same horizontal plane.

The invention is of course not limited to a machine for filling syringe bodies. It is for example perfectly conceivable that the containers 2 are not consisted by syringe bodies, as in the preferential exemplary embodiment, but by any other container of small capacity (as most a few tens of milliliters, for example), such a test tubes used for diagnostic purpose in biomedical analysis laboratories, or in the pharmaceutical or biotechnological industry.

The machine 1 according to the invention further comprises a rotatable dispensing unit 4 designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers 2 whereas these latter are arranged in the rack 3, as exposed above and illustrated in the figures.

The filling substance has advantageously a fluid character, with a flowing capability. Preferably, the filling substance is liquid, it being understood that it is perfectly conceivable, by way of alternative, that it has rather a powdery or pasty character, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. The filling substance is advantageously consisted of a medicine intended to be injected into the body of a patient. The invention is however not limited to this specific application, and it is for example perfectly conceivable that the filling substance is consisted, for example, of a substance to be analyzed, ingested, coated or mixed. As exposed above, the dispensing unit 4 is designed so that it can pivot and, for that purpose, it is preferably rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation X-X′. Preferably, the machine 1 therefore comprises a frame 5 on which the dispensing unit 4 is mounted with at least one rotational degree for freedom.

Advantageously, the dispensing unit 4 comprises a filling stylet 6, connected, for example by a flexible hose 60, to a source of the filling substance. The filling stylet 6 is preferably designed for filling one container 2 at a time. In other words, in this preferential embodiment, the filling stylet 6 is in the form of a cylindrical duct, consisted for example by a needle, the cross-section of which is lower than or equal to, and preferably strictly lower than, the cross-section of the filling orifice of each container 2, so as to allow the stylet 6 to penetrate into the container 2 through the filling orifice of the latter and thus to perform an optimal filling, with no risk of untimely loss of filling substance. It is however perfectly conceivable that the dispensing unit 4 does not comprise a single filling stylet 6 designed for filling one container 2 at a time, but a group of filling stylet for filling simultaneously a plurality of containers 2. Preferably, the machine 1 according to the invention lies on the implementation of a sequential filling of the containers 2, i.e. the dispensing unit 4 is, however that may be, not designed for simultaneously filling all the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3, but is designed for performing a sequential filling of the containers 2 in question. Such a sequential filling may be performed by filling the containers 2 one at a time, one after the other. By way of alternative, it is conceivable that the dispensing unit 4 fills successively groups of containers 2, wherein the number of containers 2 in each group represents a fraction of the total number of containers 2 arranged in the rack 3.

Advantageously, the dispensing unit 4 comprises a filling arm 7 that extends between a first end 7A toward which, and preferably at which, the filling arm 7 is pivotably mounted on the frame 5, and a second end 7B toward which, and preferably at which, the filling stylet 6 is mounted on the filling arm 7. Preferably, the filling arm 7 is designed so as to pivot in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the filling orifices of the containers 2 are inscribed, when they are arranged in the rack 3, wherein said plane is preferably parallel to the horizontal plane. In this preferential embodiment, the first axis of rotation X-X′ is thus substantially vertical. Therefore, at least a part of the filling arm 7 overhangs the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3, the latter occupying a predetermined position in the machine 1. Advantageously, the rotating dispensing unit 4 is also designed so as to be movable in translation, in order to be able to move closer to or away from each container 2 with which it is placed in correspondence for the filling thereof. Advantageously, the dispensing unit 4 is designed so as to move in translation about the first axis of rotation X-X′. That way, the dispensing unit 4 may carry out the following functional sequence:

rotation of the dispensing unit 4 about the axis X-X′ to position the filling stylet 6 opposite (i.e. at the normal of) and above a container 2;

downward vertical translation, about the axis X-X′ of the filling unit 4 (or simply of the filling stylet 6), to make the filling stylet 6 penetrate into the container 2 through the filling orifice of the latter;

transfer of a predetermined quantity of the filling substance in the container 2 through the hose 60 and the filling stylet 6; preferably, the filling stylet 6 is designed so as to substantially go down to the bottom of the container 2, to then progressively go up during the transfer of the filling substance into the container 2, as the level rises in the container 2;

upward vertical translation of the dispensing unit 4 (or only of the filling stylet 6) to fully extract the filling stylet 6 from the container 2.

Advantageously, the frame 5 comprises a first column 8 on which the filling arm 7 is mounted through a sliding pivot connection of axis X-X′.

Preferably, the first column 8 rises from the frame 5, coaxially to the first axis of rotation X-X′, and in a more preferentially, said first column 8 extends about the first axis of rotation X-X′. Accordingly, as illustrated in the figures, the first column 8 extends preferably predominantly vertically whereas the filling arm 7 extends predominantly substantially horizontally from the free end of the first column 8. The sliding pivot connection between the filling arm 7 and the first column 8 is, for example, made by means of a first sleeve 9 that is attached to the first end 7A of the filling arm 7 and that covers the first column 8 while having with respect to the latter un double capability of translation about the first axis X-X′ and of rotation about this same first axis X-X′. The rotational and translational movements of the filling arm 7 about the first axis X-X′ are advantageously controlled by suitable actuators of the electric or hydraulic type, for example.

The filling machine 1 according to the invention further comprises a means 10 for rotational driving of the rack 3, so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit 4 and the rack 3 allows the placement of the dispensing unit 4 in correspondence with each of the containers 2 for the filling of these latter.

Accordingly, the invention lies in particular on the idea of operating a sequential filling of containers 2 arranged in a rack 3, by combining only a rotational movement of the rack 3 and the dispensing unit 4 to place the filling stylet 6 successively opposite each of the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3.

As illustrated in the figures, the means 10 for driving the rack 3 is designed for driving the rack 3 in rotation about a second axis of rotation Y-Y′, said first axis X-X′ and second axis Y-Y′ of rotation being substantially collinear to each other, or in other words parallel to each other as illustrated in the figures.

The invention thus makes it possible, by combining only rotational movements (of the dispensing unit 4 and the rack 3, respectively), to fill successively all the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3.

In particular, the idea of rotating the rack 3 with respect to the frame 5 makes it possible to significantly lighten and simplify the dispensing unit 4, which needs only one rotational degree of freedom to carry out a sequential filling of all the containers 2, insofar as the rotational movement of the dispensing unit 4 is combined with a rotational movement of the rack 3.

Thanks to this general concept, the invention avoids the presence of parts in relative movement overhanging the filling orifices 2A of the containers 2. On the contrary, the invention makes it possible to implement a first axis of rotation X-X′ that is offset with respect to the rack 3, the latter being overhung by the filling arm 7 that has advantageously an invariable length and is provided with no articulation, unlike the arm of the robots used in the prior art. The invention thus makes it possible, by acting directly on the rack 3, to obtain an extremely simple and clean kinematic system, which is thus particularly well suited to a use in restrictive environments (for example, in a RABS or in an isolator).

The driving means 10 of the rack 3 advantageously comprises a first rotatable table 11, on which the rack 3 is intended to rest. The first rotatable table 11 thus comprises a substantially planar surface 11A for receiving the rack 3, on which the latter is intended to stably rest, as illustrated in the figures. The surface 11A for receiving the rack 3 advantageously extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation Y-Y′, which is advantageously parallel to the first axis of rotation X-X′, as mentioned above.

Advantageously, the filling arm 7 is of invariable length. In order to permit the filling of all the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3 (including when the latter is a rack of the nest type, in which case the containers 2 are uniformly distributed into rows, preferably parallel to each other, on a rectangular or square surface), the trajectory of the filling stylet 6 imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit 4 substantially crosses said second axis of rotation Y-Y′, i.e. in the embodiment illustrated in the figure, the trajectory of the filling stylet 6 imparted by the rotation of the filling arm 7 crosses the second axis of rotation Y-Y′.

Thanks to this characteristics, according to which the filling stylet 6 moves along a circular trajectory that passes at the normal of the center of rotation of the driving means 10, the combination of the rotational movements of said driving means 10 and the driving arm 7 allows the stylet 6 to reach one after the other each of the containers 2 arranged in the nest-type rack 3.

In order to ensure an accurate and rapid sequential filling, the rotational movements of the dispensing unit 4 and the driving means 10 of the rack 3 are controlled in a coordinate manner by means of a control means, preferably digital, which is well known as such and which then does not need to be further described herein.

Advantageously, the machine 1 according to the invention further comprises a device 12 for plugging the containers 2, once these latter have been filled, by means of a plurality of plugs 13 arranged on a tray 14. Preferably, the plugs 13 are arranged into a matrix arrangement on the tray 14, in the same way as the containers 2 are arranged on the rack 3. The tray 14 is then advantageously provided with orifices intended to accommodate therein the plugs 13, said orifices having a diameter slightly smaller than the nominal diameter of the plugs 13, so as to keep these latter in a state of radial compression when they are received in the corresponding orifice of the tray 14. In particular, when the rack 3 is a rack of the net type allowing a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement of the containers 2, the tray 14 is also of the nest type and allows a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement of the plugs 13, the tray 14 and the plugs 13 it contains forming from this point of view a “mirror” unit of the rack 3 and the containers 2 it contains, each plug 13 corresponding to a container 2.

Advantageously, the plugging device 12 comprises a rotatable unit 15 for handling the plugs 13 and a means 16 for rotational driving of the tray 14, so that:

on the one hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit 15 and the tray 14 allows the placement of the handling unit 15 in correspondence with each of the plugs 13 in order for them to be gripped by the handling unit 15,

and on the other hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit 15 and the rack 3 allows the placement of the handling unit 15 in correspondence with each of the containers 2 in order for them to be plugged.

In other words, the handling unit 15 is advantageously designed for, on the one hand, cooperating with the means 16 for rotational driving of the tray 14 so as to successively grip the plugs 13, one after the other, and on the other hand, for cooperating with the means 10 for rotational driving of the rack 3 so as to successively plug each container 2 with the plugs 13 collected one by one on the tray 14 by the handling unit 15.

Preferably, the handling unit 15 comprises an arm 17 for transferring the plugs 13 rotatably mounted about a third axis or rotation Z-Z′, which is preferably distinct from the first and second axes X-X′, Y-Y′, and parallel to these latter. The arm 17 for transferring the plugs 13 extends between a first end toward which it is pivotably mounted on the frame 5 and a second end toward which it is provided with a means 18 for transferring the plugs 13. Advantageously, the plugging device 12 comprises a second column 19 on which the arm 17 for transferring the plugs 13 is mounted through a sliding pivot connection whose axis corresponds to the third axis Z-Z′.

The placement of the transfer means 18 in correspondence with a specific plug 13 is made by the combination of the rotational movement of the tray 14 and the rotational movement of the transfer arm 17, in the same way as the placement of the dispensing unit 14 in correspondence with a specific container 2 is made by the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit 14 and the rotational movement of the rack 3.

Preferably, the arm 17 for transferring the plugs 13 is, on the one hand, of invariable length, and on the other hand, designed so that the trajectory of the transfer means 18 imparted by the rotation of the arm 17 for transferring the plugs 13 crosses both the second axis of rotation Y-Y′ and a fourth axis of rotation W-W′ about which the tray 14 is rotated by the driving means 16. This allows the filling arm 7 and the transfer arm 17 to reach each of the containers 2 and plugs 3, respectively. For that purpose, the means 10 for rotational driving of the rack 3 is preferentially designed so as to accommodate the rack 3, centered about the second axis Y-Y′, in such a manner that said second axis Y-Y′ passes through the center of the rack 3. Likewise, the means 16 for rotational driving of the tray 14 is preferentially designed so as to accommodate the tray 14, centered on the fourth axis W-W′, in such a manner that said fourth axis W-W′ passes through the center of the tray 14.

The first, second, third and fourth axes X-X′, Y-Y′, Z-Z′ and W-W′ are advantageously all parallel to each other and parallel to the vertical direction.

Advantageously, the transfer means 18 comprises a tube 18A whose diameter is slightly smaller than that of the upper opening 2A of the containers 2. The inner diameter of the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18 is slightly smaller than that of the plugs 13, which are preferably made of a flexible material, of the elastomer or rubber type, capable of being radially compressed.

Advantageously, the plugging device 12 also comprises a thrust arm 21 preferably rotatably mounted on the frame 5 about a fifth axis V-V′. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the fifth axis V-V′ is merged with the third axis Z-Z′, whereas in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3, the fifth axis V-V′ is distinct from the first, second, third and fourth axes X-X′, Y-Y′, Z-Z′ and W-W′ but parallel to these latter.

The thrust arm 21 is also advantageously translationally mounted with respect to the frame 5, preferably about the axis V-V′. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the thrust arm 21 is thus mounted on the second column 19 by means of a sliding pivot connection whose axis corresponds to the third axis Z-Z′.

More precisely, the plugging device 12 comprises, in this case, a second sleeve 17A from which the transfer arm 17 extends. Said transfer arm 17 is thus fastened to the second sleeve 17A, which covers the second column 19 while being capable of sliding and rotating about the third axis Z-Z′.

The plugging device 12 also comprises a third sleeve 21A that covers the second sleeve 17A and from which the thrust arm 21 extends, the latter being fastened to the third sleeve 21A. The third sleeve 21A is also capable of sliding and rotating about the third axis Z-Z′.

Advantageously, the thrust arm 21 is provided toward its free end with a plug-driving rod 22, whose diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18.

In the preferential embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the thrust arm 21 is not slidingly and rotatably mounted on the second column 19, but on a third column 23 that is distinct from the second column 19, while being substantially parallel and arranged in the immediate vicinity of the latter, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this case, the third column 23 extends about the fifth axis V-V′, which is distinct from and extends parallel to the third axis Z-Z′. In this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the plugging device 12 advantageously comprises a third sleeve 21B to which the thrust arm 21 is fastened. This third sleeve 21B covers the third column 23 and is slidingly and pivotably mounted on the latter, about the fifth axis V-V′. The main interest of using a transfer arm 13 and a thrust arm 21 rotatably mounted about different respective axes of rotation Z-Z′, V-V′, is to limit the vertical size of the machine 1. Indeed, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the vertical translation strokes of the transfer arm 17 and the thrust arm 21 add up to each other, which needs, with the means conventionally used (endless screw, for example), the provision of a significant vertical clearance space under the second column 19.

This implies that the machine 1 has itself a significant height, which is generally not compatible with the installation thereof on a table or on another machine. In this embodiment, the machine 1 must thus have a structure that stands by itself, with a self-standing frame 5.

On the contrary, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the vertical strokes of the transfer arm 17 and the thrust arm 21 do not add up to each other, because these arms 17, 21 move vertically parallel to each other. For that reason, the vertical size of the machine 1 is smaller, which allows the latter to be more easily placed on a table or installed on another machine, for example.

The machine 1 of FIG. 3 is thus far more easily integrable into a restrictive environment (with the presence of an isolator or a RABS, for example), and does not need the frame 5 thereof to be self-standing.

As illustrated in the figures, the thrust arm 21 is advantageously arranged permanently above the transfer arm 17, in such a manner that the plug-driving rod 22 can be threaded into the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18 and be extracted from the latter by being vertically slid, about the axis V-V′ of the thrust arm 21.

The displacement of the transfer arm 17 and the thrust arm 21 is advantageously controlled by a control system, preferably digital, designed for operating at least the following operations:

downward vertical translation of the transfer arm 17 so as to bring the latter to a lower altitude than that of the plugs 13 contained in the tray 14;

rotation of the transfer arm 17 about the third axis Z-Z′ so as to position the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18 under a given plug 13, at the normal of the latter;

upward vertical translation of the transfer arm 17 so that the tube 18A levels with the plug 13;

rotation of the thrust arm 21 about the fifth axis V-V′ so as to position the plug-driving rod 22 above and at the normal of the plug 13 in question, the latter being thus interposed between the plug-driving rod 22 above and the tube 18A below, and being aligned with these latters:

downward vertical translation of the thrust arm 21 about the fifth axis V-V′ so as to push, by means of the plug-driving rod 22, the plug 13 into the tube 18A, the plug 13 remaining wedged in the tube 18A by radial expansion (centrifugal radial elastic return);

positioning of the transfer arm 17, by translation and rotation of the latter about the third axis Z-Z′, opposite and above a container 2 to be plugged;

downward vertical translation of the transfer arm 17 so as to make the lower end of the tube 18A containing the plug 13 penetrate very slightly into the opening 2A of the container 2 to be plugged;

positioning of the plug-driving rod 22 on and against the plug 13 contained in the tube 18A;

upward vertical translation of the transfer arm 17, which causes the placement of the plug 13 in abutment against the plug-driving rod 22, with the latter remaining stationary, which allows the plugging of the concerned container 2.

The thrust arm 21 is advantageously designed similarly to the transfer arm 17, i.e. it is advantageously, on the one hand, of invariable length, and on the other hand, designed so that the trajectory of the plug-driving needle 22 imparted by the rotation of the thrust arm 21 crosses both the second axis of rotation Y-Y′ and the fourth axis of rotation W-W′ about which the tray 14 is rotated by the driving means 16, in order to allow a vertical alignment of the plug-driving rod 22, of the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18, of each of the plugs 13 placed on the tray 14 and of each of the containers 2 placed on the rack 3.

Moreover, the invention relates as such to a system comprising:

a machine 1 according to the invention and, preferably, according to the above description;

a rack 3 of the nest type;

a plurality of containers 2, such as syringe bodies, arranged into rows in said rack 3, according to a regular two-dimensional Cartesian distribution.

The invention also relates as such to a method for manufacturing a first container 2 containing a filling substance.

In other words, the manufacturing method aims to obtain a first container 2 pre-filled with a predetermined dose of a filling substance.

The method according to the invention is advantageously implemented by means of the machine 1 according to the invention, and preferably according to the above description.

Advantageously, the first container 2 in question is a syringe body intended to be filled with a pharmaceutical liquid so as to obtain a pre-filled syringe.

The method according to the invention comprises a step of filling the first container 20, which belongs to a plurality of containers 2, preferably all similar, arranged in a rack 3 according to the above description. The rack 3 is advantageously a rack of the nest type that allows a two-dimensional Cartesian distribution of the containers 2, to which belongs the first container 20, as exposed above.

The filling step comprises a transfer of the filling substance into the first container 20 by means of a dispensing unit 4, preferably according to the above description. The filling step includes, before the transfer of the filling substance into the first container 20, a placement of the dispensing unit 4 in correspondence with the rack 3.

In other words, and as described above relative to the filling machine 1 according to the invention, the combined rotational movements of the dispensing unit 4 and the rack 3 allow the dispensing unit 4 to be placed in correspondence with a predetermined container 2, in this case the first container 20.

Once this placement in correspondence made, the actual filling of the first container 20 is performed, for example in the manner described above by means of a filling stylet 6.

To allow the filling of all the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3 (including when the latter is a rack of the nest type, in which case the containers 2 are uniformly distributed into rows, preferably parallel to each other, on a rectangular or square surface), the trajectory of the filling stylet 6 imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit 4 substantially crosses said second axis of rotation Y-Y′, which allows the stylet 6 to be placed in correspondence with all the containers 2 of the rack 3, one after the other, only thanks to a combination of rotational movements (of the rack 3 and the stylet 6).

The thus-filled first container 20 can then be plugged as described in detail above.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention finds its industrial application in the design, the manufacturing and the use of machines for filling containers. 

1. A machine (1) for filling a plurality of containers (2) arranged in a rack (3), said machine (1) comprising a dispensing unit (4) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (X-X′), designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers (2), said dispensing unit (4) comprising a filling stylet (6), said machine (1) comprising a means (10) for driving the rack (3) in rotation about a second axis of rotation (Y-Y′) so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit (4) and the rack (3) makes possible the placement of the dispensing unit (4) in correspondence with each of the containers (2) in order to fill these latter, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet (6) imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit (4) substantially crosses said second axis of rotation (Y-Y′).
 2. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotatable dispensing unit (4) is also designed so as to be movable in translation, in order to be able to move closer to or away from each container (2) with which it is placed in correspondence.
 3. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling stylet (6) is designed for filling one container (2) at a time.
 4. A machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a frame (5) on which said dispensing unit (4) and a means for driving the rack are mounted, the dispensing unit (4) comprising a filling arm (7) that extends between a first end (7A) toward which said filling arm (7) is pivotably mounted on the frame (5) and a second end (7B) toward which the filling stylet (6) is mounted on the filling arm (7).
 5. A machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said frame comprises a first column (8) on which said filling arm (7) is mounted through a sliding pivot connection.
 6. A machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first column (8) extends predominantly vertically whereas the filling arm (7) extends predominantly horizontally.
 7. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving means (10) of the rack (3) comprises a first rotatable table (11), on which the rack (3) is intended to rest.
 8. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second axes of rotation (X-X′, Y-Y′) are substantially collinear to each other.
 9. A machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said first column (8) extends substantially about the first axis of rotation (X-X′), whereas the first table (11) comprises a substantially planar surface (11A) for receiving the rack (3), which extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation (Y-Y′).
 10. A machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the filling arm (7) is of invariable length.
 11. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a device (12) for plugging the containers (2), once these latter have been filled, by means of a plurality of plugs (13) arranged on a tray (14), said plugging device (12) comprising a rotatable unit (15) for handling the plugs (13) and a means (16) for rotational driving of the tray (14), so that, on the one hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit (15) and the tray (14) allows the placement of the handling unit (15) in correspondence with each of the plugs (13) in order for them to be gripped by the handling unit (15), and on the other hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit (15) and the rack (3) allows the placement of the handling unit (15) in correspondence with each of the containers (2) in order for them to be plugged.
 12. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is designed for filling a plurality of containers (2) arranged into rows in a rack (3) of the nest type.
 13. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said containers (2) are tubular containers (2), formed preferably by syringe bodies.
 14. A system comprising: a machine (1) according to claim 1, a rack (3) of the nest type, a plurality of containers (2), such as syringe bodies, arranged into rows in said rack (3).
 15. A method of manufacturing a first container (20) containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container (20), which belongs to a plurality of containers (2) arranged in a rack (3), said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container (20) by means of a dispensing unit (4) comprising a filling stylet (6), the filling step including, before said transfer of the filling substance into the first container, a placement of the dispensing unit (4) and the first container (20) in correspondence with each other by rotating the dispensing unit (4) and the rack (3) about a first and a second axis of rotation (X-X′, Y-Y′), respectively, said method being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet (6) imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit (4) substantially crosses said second axis of rotation (Y-Y′).
 16. A machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the filling stylet (6) is designed for filling one container (2) at a time.
 17. A machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said frame comprises a first column (8) on which said filling arm (7) is mounted through a sliding pivot connection.
 18. A machine (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the first column (8) extends predominantly vertically whereas the filling arm (7) extends predominantly horizontally.
 19. A machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving means (10) of the rack (3) comprises a first rotatable table (11), on which the rack (3) is intended to rest.
 20. A machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the driving means (10) of the rack (3) comprises a first rotatable table (11), on which the rack (3) is intended to rest. 